The Hornets name has been up for debate. In my opinion "Pelicans" is the best name for the franchise moving forward.

This would not be the first New Orleans team to be called the "Pelicans." The baseball Pelicans played ball in New Orleans from 1887 until their disbandment in 1959. The name was briefly used for a triple A team in 1977.

The nickname has outlasted "Saints" by almost 30 years. The brown pelican is Louisiana's state bird. The animal is found throughout the Gulf Coast region.

To make matters even better, Tom Benson owns the rights to the name, so there would be no legal battle.